Podcast appearances and mentions of Ray Zinn

Ray Zinn, the longest-serving CEO in Silicon Valley history, joins the show to share the discipline required to lead a company for 37 years. From his roots as the oldest of 11 on a cattle ranch to inventing the Wafer Stepper and co-founding Micrel, Ray's journey is a masterclass in grit. We discuss the "boot camp" phase of starting a business, the benefits of self-financing, and his "Tough Things First" philosophy—learning to love the tasks you hate to overcome adversity. Whether you're a veteran entrepreneur or a corporate leader, Ray's insights on risk, profitability, and leadership will challenge you to sharpen your focus and tackle your biggest challenges head-on. Episode Resources: Tough Things First Zinn Starter   About Our Guest Raymond D. Zinn is an inventor, entrepreneur, and the longest serving CEO of a publicly traded company in Silicon Valley. Zinn is known best for conceptualizing and in effect inventing the Wafer Stepper, and for co-founding semiconductor company Micrel (acquired by Microchip in 2015), which provides essential components for smartphones, consumer electronics and enterprise networks. He has served as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of its Board of Directors and President since the Company's inception in 1978. About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union offers exclusive benefits to all of their members. All Veterans, Active Duty and their families can become members. Have you been saving up for the season of cheer and joy that is just around the corner? With Navy Federal Credit Union's cashRewards and cashRewards Plus cards, you could earn a $250 cash bonus when you spend $2,500 in the first 90 days. Offer ends 1/1/26. You could earn up to 2% unlimited cash back with the cashRewards and cashRewards Plus cards. With Navy Federal, members have access to financial advice and money management and 24/7 access to award-winning service. Whether you're a Veteran of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force or Coast Guard, you and your family can become members. Join now at Navy Federal Credit Union. At Navy Federal, our members are the mission.      Join the conversation on Facebook! Check out Veteran on the Move on Facebook to connect with our guests and other listeners. A place where you can network with other like-minded veterans who are transitioning to entrepreneurship and get updates on people, programs and resources to help you in YOUR transition to entrepreneurship.   Want to be our next guest? Send us an email at interview@veteranonthemove.com.  Did you love this episode? Leave us a 5-star rating and review!  Download Joe Crane's Top 7 Paths to Freedom or get it on your mobile device. Text VETERAN to 38470. Veteran On the Move podcast has published 500 episodes. Our listeners have the opportunity to hear in-depth interviews conducted by host Joe Crane. The podcast features people, programs, and resources to assist veterans in their transition to entrepreneurship.  As a result, Veteran On the Move has over 7,000,000 verified downloads through Stitcher Radio, SoundCloud, iTunes and RSS Feed Syndication making it one of the most popular Military Entrepreneur Shows on the Internet Today.

When you just start out in life, you may think very little about how you will be remembered. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses why that approach may lead to very little legacy at all. Rob Artigo: One thing you do at this podcast, and your books, and everything that you're doing is you're creating a lasting […]

Some people believe equality and equity are the same thing. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn dives into what equality really means. Rob Artigo: … We fairly recently did a podcast on so called equity and inclusion. So, let's turn our attention to what it actually means to be equal. Are we talking about equal outcomes like wealth, status, […]

In the volatile world of Silicon Valley, where the average CEO tenure is often less than five years and startups burn out as quickly as they rise, Ray Zinn stands as a monumental exception. For 37 years, Zinn served as the CEO of Micrel, the semiconductor company he founded in 1978, holding the record as the longest-serving CEO of a publicly traded company in the Valley. His tenure wasn't just about longevity; it was a masterclass in disciplined consistency. Under his leadership, Micrel achieved a staggering record of being profitable for 36 out of those 37 years, a feat almost unheard of in the tech industry.This video dives deep into the story of the man they call the "Iron Man" of the semiconductor industry. We explore how Zinn famously rejected the standard Venture Capital model, choosing instead to bootstrap Micrel using his own savings and bank loans to maintain total control over the company's culture and destiny. You will learn about his unique management philosophy, "Tough Things First," which prioritized discipline and employee well-being over short-term stock manipulation.Beyond the business metrics, we also uncover the incredible personal resilience of Ray Zinn. Later in his career, he went legally blind, yet continued to run the company effectively, relying on his vivid memory and the deep trust he had built with his team. From the early days of 1978 to the final acquisition by Microchip Technology in 2015, this is the definitive story of an outlier who proved that slow, steady, and disciplined leadership can outlast the hype of Silicon Valley.Support the show

TrulySignificant.com honors Ray Zinn, legendary entrepreneur, author of The Essential Leader, and founder of Micrel, a successful semiconductor company. He served as its CEO for 37 years until its acquisition by Microchip Technology in 2015. He started Micrel in 1978 without venture capital, building it into a profitable, publicly traded company known for its focus on reliability and low employee turnover, making him Silicon Valley's longest-serving CEO. Of significance, learn that Ray was legally blind while leading Micrel to a $900 million valuation. Hear about how losing one sense does not limit you! Dive into the topic of "deep listening" and allowing adversity to refine you, not define you. Remember folks....strength isn't what you show when things are easy. It's how you adapt. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/success-made-to-last-legends--4302039/support.

Workplace conflicts are going to happen and the word “yes” can produce remarkable results to help your teams grow. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the toughest workplace conflicts and the “Yes Principle.” Ray Zinn: Hi, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: Sure. Let's talk about creative teams and managing conflict because there'll be […]

You have your “bandwidths”, your “synergies” and your “lean-ins,” to name a few and what do they all have in common? They are cliche' and overused. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says you need to cultivate a growth mindset, not a worthless vocabulary. Ray Zinn: Hello, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: We've seen […]

The world of information is transforming at light speed, and getting sucked into a misinformation vortex is a constant problem. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says, “Just the Facts, Ma'am.” Rob Artigo: Ray, looking at page 26 of your first Zen of Zinn book, Zen of Zinn one. It says, you wrote this, “Get it right and […]

Will Ai help develop a new generation of leaders or turn human brains off to the idea of decision-making with out it? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the nature of this serious question. Rob Artigo: Got a good topic here, Ray. Let's dive into how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping leadership roles like decision-making and […]

Work life balance. Is it a recipe for long term success, or a surefire way to fail? In the Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn counters the case made by some enormously successful CEOs. (Watch Now on YouTube) Ray Zinn: Hello, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: Well, Ray, this is a special edition of the Tough […]

Change is the one constant. Handling it is a skill in itself. Ray Zinn has seen his share and you can benefit from that experience. Ray Zinn: Hi Rob. Good to be here today. Rob Artigo: Great to be back, Ray. Job changes, industry shifts, entrepreneurial leaps, what do these all have in common? They're all big changes, right. They're […]

Leading with emotional intelligence is a major part of success in any leadership role. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn outlines what is at the heart of developing this difficult skill to master. Rob Artigo: We have talked at length on this show about your management style, walking around, getting to know employees, and you've written about it […]

Making timely, smart decisions can be an everyday occurrence. But what happens when the pressure is turned up and the stakes the highest you have ever faced? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the key elements of navigating decisions under pressure. Rob Artigo: Ray, as CEO of Micrel for nearly four decades, you have had to make […]

How do successful people master resilience for career and life success? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says it comes down to mental toughness and the key to that comes from within you. Rob Artigo: Well, Ray, let's talk about how we can develop mental toughness to adapt, to change, and overcome setbacks. This goes to mastering resilience […]

This isn't politics, it's madness. In this Tough Things First podcast Ray Zinn discussing the murder of Charlie Kirk and the sickness that plagues the American political landscape. (At the time of this post, no suspect had been arrested.) Ray Zinn: Hi Rob. How's it going today? Rob Artigo: It's a tough day because we had a 31-year-old conservative activist […]

If you had more than four decades of experience and knew all there was to know about hiring people for important positions, what would you say described a winning resume? Let's ask Ray Zinn in this Tough Things First podcast. Rob Artigo: Ray as CEO of Micrel, I'm very interested in your take on this, and you were involved in […]

Some challenges are financial, others are personal, and some are life changing where only you can decide if you still want success badly enough.  Ray Zinn discusses how to persevere through worst kinds of challenges. (Watch on YouTube) Ray Zinn: Hello, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: You may not, and others may not, immediately know the […]

It has been quite the ride on the stock market in 2025, but it hasn't been the one many expected in January. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about how the market tanked but came back in what seemed like record time. Ray Zinn: Hi, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: Well, it wasn't […]

Tough Things First Podcast: Ray Zinn discusses his commencement speech at San Jose State. (Watch) Rob Artigo: Well, you have the honor to do the commencement speech at San José State recently, and you described it as a bucket list moment. What was it that you felt was so special about doing it? Ray Zinn: Well, if you think about […]

Do you often think of the words that exist within words and how they expand and deepen meaning? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks an about the word inspiration. Rob Artigo: This is a good reading that we're going to do here. This is from the Zen of Zinn 3, your third book in this series, inspirational […]

There are differing views on justifying dishonesty. Revenge or righting wrongs with more wrongs seems to be the default position of many these days. But in this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says there is an honest answer to this question. Rob Artigo: Ray, you recently wrote a musing that caught my attention. I thought this is surely going to […]

It's not enough to succeed at first. We must continue to excel. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about the need for constant self improvement and professional development. Rob Artigo: So I guess the question here is when is it okay to neglect skill building and updating knowledge, your knowledge of work or whether just self-improvement? I […]

It turns out chat bots for chat or phone-in help lines are a mixed bag of results. Is the pendulum swinging back in favor of live human help? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks pros and cons of Ai assistance and human communication barriers. Ray Zinn: Hi, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: I […]

Now more than ever, we are all forced to question what we see and hear, but where our own biases are involved we usually don't. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the imperative of recognizing how easily we are duped by ourselves.   Rob Artigo:  Well, Ray, I was reading Zen of Zinn 3. On page 244, […]

Why strong leadership doesn't mean leading with power. In this Tough Things First podcast Ray Zinn offers some thoughts on why many organizational leaders get it wrong. Rob Artigo: Well, you recently wrote, Ray, “The essence of leadership is not the wielding of power, but rather the wielding of grace and nurturing.” This is in line with what you wrote […]

Is it true that you should trust but verify? In this Tough Things first podcast, Ray Zinn if you have to verify, there's no trust involved. (Watch Video Podcast) Ray Zinn: Hey, Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: Good to be back. Well, this is a special edition of The Tough Things First Podcast. It is a […]

Is the push for American Made an open door to a would be entrepreneur? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn tells us how it could be done for those seeking the American Dream. Ray Zinn: Hi Rob. How's it going today? Rob Artigo: Great. So with a nation, I feel like we're in a mode of… There's turmoil […]

Failure happens. But is it really a failure if you learn something valuable? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses how a few business failures paved the way to a massively successful semiconductor company. Rob Artigo: Here with me is Ray Zinn, the longest-serving CEO in Silicon Valley history. Being invited back is always great, Ray. Ray Zinn: […]

Working from home may have seemed like progress over hustle culture, but has it brought on something worse? Un-Hustle culture. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says one bad work ethic has led to a worse work ethic. Rob Artigo: Let's talk about hustle culture. One of the soundbites we use in the intro for this podcast is… […]

The victim mentality is a psychological pattern where someone perceives themselves as a victim of circumstances, other people, or systems, often avoiding personal responsibility. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explains in detail why most people have victim mentality and how to escape the pattern. Ray Zinn: Hi Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: Page […]

We all know change is inevitable, but layoffs can be devastating when you find your once secure job has vanished. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says don't panic, just be prepared. Rob Artigo: Here with me again is Ray Zinn, the longest serving CEO in Silicon Valley history. Hi Ray. Ray Zinn: Hello Rob. Rob Artigo: You […]

What you need to know now. In this Tough Things First podcast Ray Zinn demystifies the troubled waters so we can all get it and look forward. Call it Part 1. Rob Artigo: Good to be back, Ray. Nice to see you. Thriving amid uncertainty and handling adversity. That's what we're talking about here in this podcast. 2025 has been […]

Do we live in a culture that promotes comparisons to others? Is it jealously, envy? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says keeping up with trends may be healthy, but keeping up with the Jones's may be a problem.     Rob Artigo: I recently read a quote where the writer said he had not met a person […]

You may have heard that a failure to plan is nothing more than a plan to fail. Ray Zinn puts his hard earned life experience out there and proves what you get if you fail to plan is a pipe-dream and surefire disappointment. Rob Artigo: Good to be back. You have a series of books. You have Zen of Zinn […]

A lifetime of leadership experience wrapped in an entertaining and informative read. Join Tough Things First for the official launch of The Essential Leader by Ray Zinn, 10 Skills, Attributes, and Fundamentals that Make Up The Essential Leader. (Watch the Video Podcast) Rob Artigo: I'm Rob Artigo, former Bay Area Radio Personality and your host for this edition of The […]

The question often heard is who will pick our produce under tighter immigration enforcement? Maybe the question that aught to be asked is when will humanoid robots be doing that job? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn tells us the one constant is change. Ray Zinn: Hi, Rob. Rob Artigo: Well, I've heard this repeated frequently, and maybe […]

Competition is a wonderful and important aspect of success, but some people recoil in horror over how it forces them to be proactive. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the reasons why we need to embrace our competitive nature. (Video Podcast)   Rob Artigo: Good to be back. This is a special edition of the podcast. It's […]

What makes a good employee bury their face in their hands and under-perform? Ray Zinn says it's not a mystery. Not to them. But to the leadership? Crickets.   Rob Artigo: Ray, got this message from you the other day, I love this story you told, about recently going to get some medical tests. And you met some medical techs […]

Success is often muted or even missed entirely over the fear of failure. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about the key factors involved in the Fear of Failure.   Rob Artigo: Ray, another one of those nasty little things that get in the way of success is fear of failure. In your opinion, is the fear […]

Would be entrepreneurs often fret over, “is this the right time to start my business?” Maybe the real question gets ignore in the process. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explains the bigger question you must ask yourself and why “when” is hardly what matters most. Rob Artigo: Would-be entrepreneurs can often find themselves stuck before they even […]

In business self-assessment, few components are more important than identifying your customer. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the elements of identifying your target customer and the obstacles to obtaining and retaining them. Rob Artigo: I caught a piece on a website called entrepreneur.com. It caught my attention for a couple of reasons, but I picked one […]

Sometimes we need to check with ourselves to see if we are positioned well for unforeseen troubles. In this Tough Things First podcast with Ray Zinn, has the keys to self-reliance.   Rob Artigo: Good to be back. And I've got a copy of Zen of Zinn Two, one of your books here in front of me, and I flipped […]

The reemerging American semiconductor industry is a little nervous about what President Trump will do regarding the CHIPS and Science Act, but CNBC reports Trump is unlikely to roll it back. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says only a robust American chip sector can thwart Chinese power grab through chip dominance.   Rob Artigo:…you ran Micrel as […]

A cognitive bias that occurs when someone overestimates their knowledge or abilities in a particular area can wreak havoc. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores ways to avoid it. Rob Artigo: I had been looking around for different subject ideas and I came across a term called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. It's about cognitive bias that occurs when […]

The opposite of paralysis by analysis is making a resolute decision in moments while others stew. But how do you get there? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses how famous business minds get right to it without hesitating. Rob Artigo: Well Ray, let's talk if we could, a little bit about leadership and leaders in business at […]

The long and the short of the 2024 Presidential Election cycle and what it tells us about where we are as a country. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn gives his take.   Rob Artigo: It's been another long and exhaust… It's weird, it's been an election cycle that was both very long as it tends to be, […]

It's possible to be honest only sometimes, which makes integrity a full time job. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discussing how honesty and integrity are different and how they may impact your reputation as a leader and coworker when applied disproportionately. Rob Artigo: Well, you have talked a lot about honesty on this show, also integrity, but […]

It is getting easier to instruct AI tools as a shortcut for sending out emails and social media posts, but when is it a misleading crutch? Ray Zinn discusses changing AI use and how to recognize the gray areas of using AI and calling it your own work. (Watch Video Podcast…) Ray Zinn: Good morning there, Rob. Rob Artigo: Well, […]

Getting ahead at work is not complicated, but it does require effort. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the concept of hiring from within a company, and how to be the person who moves up. Rob Artigo: Good to be back. So let's talk about promoting from within a company instead of seeking talent from elsewhere. Micrel, […]

Entrepreneurs accomplish a lot by themselves. Fierce independence is a common trait, but why not work smarter, not harder? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn details why going it alone isn't all it's cracked up to be. Rob Artigo: Well, Ray, you write so much it's hard to keep up, but one thing that you did right recently […]